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Arts & Entertainment

Martinis, Fast Cars, Tailored Suits - It's Global James Bond Day

Oct. 5 marks the 50th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise and events around the world are planned to celebrate the man with the license to kill.

Over the past 50 years, he’s survived everything from free falling out of an airplane to powder blue leisure suits. He’s been portrayed by six different actors and witnessed countless imitations. But one thing remains unchanged. The name’s “Bond, James Bond.”

There’s no doubt James Bond fans of all ages will utter that iconic line at some point today as the world celebrates Global James Bond Day. Yes, believe it or not, it was 50 years ago today when the 1962 film Dr. No was released and ushered in the spy movie franchise.

Twenty-three films later, Bond's legacy will live on as Daniel Craig buttons up his tuxedo jacket and returns to star as 007 in Skyfall, in theaters Nov. 9. British author Ian Fleming, who wrote the original James Bond novels, probably had no idea his series of stories would cause so much international intrigue and stand the test of time.

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While you might not be hugging turns in an Aston Martin DB5, you can still get lost in the world of Bond at the Naperville Public Library by checking out some of the library's Ian Fleming titles

To celebrate 50 years of Bond, a number of events are also taking place around the world today. In New York, a film retrospective will be held at the Museum of Modern Art. In South Africa, offices plan to celebrate with Bond-themed Casual Fridays, complete with co-workers dressed in gowns and tuxedos. 

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But if you can’t make it out to New York (or South Africa), you can still reach "double-0" status in Naperville by brushing up on these James Bond facts.

 

Bond by the Numbers:

Sean Connery: The first and original 007 had six outings as Bond. (Unless you count the Thunderball remake, Never Say Never Again. But, let's be honest, no one really does.) 

George Lazenby: Flew solo in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Roger Moore: Holds the most with seven appearances.

Timonthy Dalton: Only lived twice as Bond.

Pierce Brosnan: Scores with four.

Daniel Craig: The Nov. 9 release of Skyfall marks the third time Craig will play his rendition of the grittier, blonder Bond.

 

Make a Martini, the Bond Way – Shaken, Not Stirred

Ingredients:

  • 3 measures of Gordon's Gin
  • 1 measure of vodka
  • 1/2 measure Kina Lillet
  • lemon peel for garnish

Courtesy of about.com

How to order it:

"Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel." - Casino Royale

If martinis don’t please your palate, perhaps this Daily Meal list of other James Bond drinks will. Château Mouton Rothschild, anyone? 

 

Classified Titles

Ian Fleming titles that haven't been used in a Bond film, yet:

Risico

The Property of a Lady

The Hildebrand Rarity

007 in New York

 

No Red Cape for 007

After Rodger Moore retired from the series in 1985, the search was on for a new Bond. While the lead role for The Living Daylights went to Timothy Dalton, actors like Pierce Brosnan and even Christopher Reeve were approached to play Bond. Brosnan would eventually score the role and help reboot the series as Bond in Goldeneye, but Reeve stuck to taking to the sky as Superman.

 

Mrs. Bond?

Despite James Bond's habit for being a womanizer, the character actually settles down when he marries Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. However, the union is short-lived when (spoiler alert!) Tracy is killed by Bond's nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld at the end of the film. Brief references about his wife are later made in films like The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only.  

See the YouTube video here.

Complete your mission to becoming a Bond aficionado by checking out these links. 

Being 007: Behind the Scenes at James Bond Auditions - LIFE

Official James Bond 007 Website - 007.com

License to Quiz: 21 Facts About James Bond - Film School Rejects

Bond Gadgets Stand Test Of Time (But Not Physics) -  NPR

What are your favorite Bond memories? Let us know in the comments.

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